Harmonica



`lAug; 4, 1931.J l. L. STEIN ETAL 1,317,109

HARMONICA Filed Feb. 24. 1930 P-,1 -Z09 5 Z0 0736.512 l l 1o.. 6

waas@ l NvENToR5 Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES REISSUED PATENT `oI-Flcra IB'VING L. STEIN, OF BROOKLYN, AND CHARLES H. BENNINGTON, OF WEST HEMPSTEAD,

NEW YORK HARMONICA Application led February 24, 1980. Serial No. 430,729.

This invention relates to musical instruments of the harmonica type.

Heretofore harmonicas were constructed with all the reeds aflixed to a flat plate, and

if one reed broke or otherwise got out of order the entire plate had to be removed for repairs.

The object of this invention is to provide a harmonica with each reed placed on a separate strip which can be removed and replaced by any person.

A further object of this invention is to provide a harmonica the body of which is constructed out of a single piece of metal with punched out portions for the wind to travel and a plurality of grooves to receive replaceable reed plates.

A further object of this invention is to provide a harmonica with replaceable reeds and a moveable mouthpiece which provides access to the removable reeds.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the. invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this application, and in which: n

Figure 1 is a section view of the harmonica.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section of the harmonica.

Figure 3 is an end view partly in section.

Figure 4 is a detail showing the revolving mouthpiece.

Figure 5 is a section taken on 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an end View designated by 6-6 on Figure 1.

In the drawings the numeral 1, indicates a harmonica constructed out of a bent metal plate 2, which may be stamped out with slots 3, and formed into a 'V shape with sides 4 and 5 and end 6.

The inside of the stamped V formed plate 2, provided with grooves 7. These grooves 7 are stamped in the same operation when the metal is slotted. The grooves 7, are arranged along each side of the slot 3.

Into the grooves 7, there are inserted removable plates 8, made out of metal or any other material. These plates extend through the entire depth of the V formed plate 2. The plate 8 is also punched with an opening 9.

To the plate 8 there is attached by rivet- ,A

ing or otherwise a reed 10 by means of rivet 11.

This reed has an enlarged head 12, but the remaining portion 13 of the reed 10, is adapted to vibrate loosely within the opening 9 of the plate 8 therefore the reed 10 is limited to the space within the opening 9 of the plate 8.

The reeds 10 and the corresponding openings 9, vary in length depending on the scale pitch in the harmonica.

At the ends of the plate 2 there are provided blocks 14 and 15, fastened to the plate 2, by means of rivets 16 and 17.

To the block 15, there is attached a mouthpiece 18, which has perforations 19, these perforations are opposite to the reed chambers 20, formed by the plate 2, and the reed plates 8 and the reeds 10.

The mouthpiece 18 revolves on the pin 24 and when in closed position can be held by mea-ns of a small bolt 25 and nut 26.

The harmonica is provided with a cover 27, which is held down by the rivets 16 and 17, and covers the bottom of the mouthpiece 18.

In operation, should one of the reeds 10 break or otherwise become out of order, the mouthpiece is disengaged by removing the bolt 26, and swung on the pivot 24, until the reed plates 8 are exposed as shown in Figure 4. The damaged reed plate is then extracted and a new reed plate inserted instead, and the mouthpiece then swung back to its original position,

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in lthe above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described.

What We claim is:

l. In a harmonica, abody member having slots for Wind passage, grooves arranged Within said body member adjacent to said slots and individual reed plates adapted to removably fit Within said grooves.

2. In a harmonica, a body member having slots for wind passage, grooves arranged within said body member adjacent to ysaid slots, individual reed plates adapted to removably it Within said grooves and fortning reed chambers, and a movable mouth piece having perforations opposite said reed chambers.

3. In a harmonica, a horizontal body member having slots for wind passage, vertical grooves arranged at each end of each slot and individual reed plat-es adapted to removably fit Within said grooves.

Signed at New York, New Yorlgin the county of New York and State of New York this 31st dav of January, A. D. 1930.

CHARLES H. BENNINGTON. RVING L. STEIN. 

